Snap Lock Siding System

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a snap lock siding system includes a snap lock receiver rail that holds the siding in place and provides predetermined, accurate spacing of the siding. The system includes a receiver rail connected to a bottom receiver track that holds the bottom edge of the siding in place and acts as a closure strip for the bottom edge of the siding system. In addition, the system includes siding that is designed to snap into the receiver rail and receiver track.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/882,285 filed on Sep. 25, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a snap lock siding system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a siding product that snaps in place and requires no fasteners to secure the siding panels with respect to each other and with respect to the receiver rails attached to the building.

Conventional siding solutions typically require a labor intensive process of aligning siding panels and securing each panel to a foundation structure, such as a house or building. In order to align each panel parallel with a previously attached panel requires various measurements and balancing tools. Further, more than one person may be needed to secure the siding panels to a foundation structure owing to the complexity of the installation.

Conventional siding solutions that snap together require fasteners installed at a predetermined interval along one edge of the siding panels to hold them in place. If these fasteners are installed improperly the siding can warp and bind up when it expands and contracts causing the siding to buckle and compromise the structural integrity of the siding. Further, the siding may virtually pull itself off the building if the fasteners are installed improperly.

Accordingly there is a need for a system that is simple to install and allows the siding to float freely while expanding and contracting, as described herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a siding system that is easy to install and allows the siding to expand and contract while floating freely in at least one direction with respect to other siding panels and the receiver rails.

The complete snap lock siding system includes a snap lock receiver rail that holds the siding in place and provides predetermined, accurate spacing of the siding. The system includes a bottom starter track that holds the bottom edge of the siding in place and acts as a closure strip for the bottom edge of the siding and a lap siding that is designed to snap in place.

The snap lock receiver rail may be installed vertically and act as the receiving end of the snap lock system. The retainer tabs located on the receiver rail grab each section of the lap siding providing a sturdier installation than conventional systems. The siding is simply pressed or snapped in and up on to the receiver rail. The starter track holds the bottom edge of the siding in place in a similar manner to the receiver rail but is continuous along the bottom edge to also act as a closure strip for the siding. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a complete, simple to install system that improves the structural integrity of the siding by securing the siding more frequently while allowing it to float freely when expanding and contracting thus eliminating any buckling and wrinkling of the siding caused by fasteners.

The present disclosure provides a siding snap lock system comprising a snap receiver rail including a receiver rail front surface, a planar receiver rail back surface, and a plurality of receiver rail retainer tabs extending from the receiver rail back surface, wherein the receiver rail retainer tabs include a hook shape defining a receiver rail retainer space. The system also includes a receiver track including a planar receiver track back surface and a receiver track retainer tab extending from the receiver track back surface, wherein the receiver track retainer tab includes a hook shape defining a receiver track retainer space. In addition, the system includes a first siding including a first siding top bulb, a first siding middle bulb, and a first siding bottom bulb, wherein the first siding top bulb is connected to the first siding middle bulb by a siding linear body, wherein the first siding middle bulb is connected to the first siding bottom bulb by the siding linear body. The first siding top bulb extends from the siding linear body, wherein the first siding top bulb includes a hook shape defining a first siding retainer space. The first siding bottom bulb is removably inserted into the receiver track retainer space. The first siding top bulb and the first siding middle bulb are removeably inserted into receiver rail retainer spaces respectively.

The system may include a second siding including a second siding top bulb, a second siding middle bulb, and a second siding bottom bulb, wherein the second siding bottom bulb is removeably inserted into the first siding retainer space of the first siding top bulb.

The receiver track may include a receiver track first end and a receiver track second end, wherein the snap receiver rail may include a receiver rail first end and a receiver rail second end. The receiver rail second end may include a receiver rail alignment tab, wherein the receiver track first end engages with the receiver rail alignment tab. The receiver track second end may include a receiver track alignment tab that extends perpendicular to the receiver track back surface.

The receiver rail may include a plurality of fastener openings to receive a fastener, wherein the fastener openings extend from the receiver rail front surface through the receiver rail back surface.

The receiver rail may include a plurality of support rails connecting a top surface of the receiver rail retainer tab to the receiver rail front surface.

The receiver rail may include an insulation receiver groove, wherein the insulation receiver groove is between the receiver rail front surface and the receiver rail back surface.

The receiver rail and the receiver track may be attached to a foundation structure by fasteners.

An objective of the invention is to provide a solution that is simple to install.

Another objective of the invention is to hold the siding securely in place while allowing it to float freely.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a system that holds insulation in place, while acting as a seal at the joints between sections of insulation and also hold the siding in place.

An advantage of the snap lock siding system is that it is easy to install.

Another advantage of the snap lock siding system is that it secures the siding more frequently, thus increasing its structural integrity.

Another advantage of the snap lock siding system is that because of the method in which the siding is held in place it allows for the siding to expand and contract freely along at least one axis of movement, which helps to eliminate binding and buckling.

Yet another advantage is that with a slight design change to the snap lock receiver rail, it will accommodate ¼′ or 1″ rigid insulation and provide an air tight joint between insulation panels.

Another advantage is the starter track is continuous and has a drip edge reducing the chances that water will come in contact with the plywood sheathing.

Another advantage is that the snap lock receiver rails can be installed end to end providing the correct spacing.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.szcd

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the snap lock siding system disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an example of the retainer rail and a bottom receiver track.

FIGS. 3A-3D are side views of an example of a snap lock siding system disclosed herein, wherein FIGS. 3B-3D are expanded views of various snap lock connections.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an example of a siding disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the snap lock receiver rail.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of the snap lock receiver in combination with insulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example the snap lock system 10 disclosed herein. The snap lock system 10 includes a snap receiver rail 12, siding 14, and a receiver track 16. Typically, the system 10 is installed on an exterior face of a wall or foundation structure by way of a receiver rail 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the snap lock receiver rail 12 extends perpendicular from the bottom receiver track 16. The receiver rail 12 includes a receiver rail back surface 13 that is planar at may be positioned and attached flush against the foundation structure 52. The receiver rail 12 also includes a plurality of receiver rail retainer tabs 18 that are equally spaced along the length of the receiver rail 12. The receiver rail retainer tabs 18 may be in the shape of a hook that extends from a receiver rail front surface 68 of the receiver rail 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The receiver rail retainer tab 18 forms a receiver rail retainer space 36 to receive a siding bulb 34, 24, 32. The receiver rail retainer tab 18 includes a receiver rail retainer ramp 19 on an interior surface of the receiver rail retainer tab 18. The receiver rail retainer ramp 19 is a linear incline that is not parallel to a front surface of the receiver rail 12. Typically, the receiver rail retainer ramp 19 is positioned at an angle with respect to normal such that the receiver rail retainer ramp 19 aids inserting a siding bulb 34, 24, 32 into the receiver rail retainer space 36. Typically, the receiver rail retainer ramp 19 enables the siding bulb 34, 24, 32 into the receiver rail retainer space 36.

The receiver rail 12 may also include receiver rail fastener openings 21 to receive fasteners 22, wherein the fasteners 22 may attach the receiver rail 12 to a foundation structure 52, such as an outer surface wall of a building. The fastener 22 may be any suitable fasteners including, but not limited to, nails, screws, latches, clamps, bolts, among others.

The receiver rail 12 may also include support ribs 44 that attach an upper surface of the receiver rail retainer tab 18 to a front surface of the receiver rail 12. The support ribs 44 improve the structural integrity of the receiver rail retainer tab 18.

The receiver rail 12 includes a receiver rail first end 60 and a receiver end second end 62, wherein the receiver end second end 62 attaches to the receiver track 16. For example, the receiver rail 12 may include a receiver rail alignment tab 17 that engages with the receiver track 16. As shown in FIG. 3D, the receiver rail alignment tab 17 engages with a receiver track first end 56 of the receiver track 16. The receiver rail alignment tab 17 may engage with receiver track first end 56 of the receiver track 16 in any suitable manner. For example, the receiver rail alignment tab 17 may be a particular shape that fits with the top portion of the receiver track 16. Alternatively, the engagement may include a fastening system including fasteners 22, including clasps, latches, nails, screws, or any suitable attachment mechanism.

The receiver track 16 is used to align the bottom receiver track 16 along a horizontal surface of the structural foundation to which the system 10 is attached. For example, a receiver track second end 58 of the receiver track 16 may be aligned at the bottom of a wall or side of a house.

As shown in FIG. 3, the receiver track 16 may include a receiver track back surface 54 that may be installed flush against a bottom edge of the foundation structure 52 by placing a receiver track alignment tab 20 along the bottom edge of the foundation structure 52. The receiver track 16 includes a receiver track retainer tab 30 creating a receiver track retainer space 26 to receive a siding bottom bulb 24. The receiver track retainer tab 30 is a hook shape that extends from a receiver track front surface 70. The receiver track retainer tab 30 includes a receiver track retainer ramp 28 to aid sliding or inserting the siding bottom bulb 24 into the receiver track retainer space 26. The receiver track retainer ramp 30 is a linear incline that is not parallel to a front surface of the foundation structure 52.

The bottom receiver track 16 may include a plurality of receiver track fastener openings 48 to receive fasteners 22. In addition, the receiver track 16 may include a receiver track drip edge 50 to aid in water runoff. As shown in FIG. 3D, the receiver track drip edge 50 may extend out and downward from the receiver track alignment tab 20.

In an example, a plurality of snap lock retainer rails 12 may be attached to the receiver track 16 such that each snap lock retainer rail 12 is installed at a predetermined spacing, wherein the retainer rails 12 extend vertically from the receiver track 16. In such example, a piece of siding 14 may connect to more than one retainer rail 12.

The snap lock retainer rail 12 may be attached to the receiver track 16 by a pressure fit, or any suitable means. Alternatively, or in addition to, the receiver rail alignment tab 17 may engage with the receiver track 16 or the snap lock receiver rail 12. Once the receiver track 16 and the snap lock retainer rails 12 have been installed, the siding 14 may be installed starting from the bottom and work up with each new piece of siding 14.

As shown in FIG. 4, each piece of siding 14 includes a siding top bulb 34, at least one siding middle bulb 32, and a siding bottom bulb 24. The siding bulbs are connected to each other by a planar siding linear body 15. A cross section of the siding top bulb 34 includes curved hook shape that defines a siding retainer space 38. The siding top bulb 34 includes a siding top groove 35 that engages with the receiver rail retainer tab 18 by inserting into at least a portion of the receiver rail retainer space 36.

The siding 14 includes at least one siding middle bulb 32 including a siding middle groove 33. A cross section of the siding middle bulb 32 includes curved shape. The siding middle groove 33 is configured to insert or engage with the receiver rail retainer tab 18 by inserting into a portion of the receiver rail retainer space 36. In an example the siding 14 includes one siding middle bulb 32. In another example, the siding 14 may include two or more siding middle bulbs 32.

The siding 14 also includes a siding bottom bulb 24 including a siding bottom groove 25. The siding bottom bulb 24 is configured to insert into at least a portion of the receiver track retainer space 26 and/or the siding retainer space 38 in the siding top bulb 24.

In an example, a first siding 64 may snap into the receiver track 16 forming a continuous weather tight joint by placing the siding bottom bulb 24 into the receiver track retainer space 26. The siding bottom groove 25 may be pushed up over the receiver track retainer ramp 28, thereby securing the siding 14 to the receiver track retainer tab 30. At the same time, or after, the siding middle bulb 32 may be inserted into the receiver rail retainer space 36. The siding top bulb 34 may be aligned and snapped into the corresponding receiver rail retainer space 36 on the snap lock retainer rail 12.

After the first siding 64 has been installed, a second siding 66 can be installed in virtually the same fashion with the exception that the siding bottom bulb 24 may be inserted into the siding retainer space 38 of the siding top bulb 34 of the first piece of siding 14. This process would be repeated until the entire wall or foundation structure 52 has been sided. As a result of the siding 14 snapping into the retainer rail 12 and the receiver track 16, instead of being attached to the retainer rail 12 and the receiver track 16 by fasteners, the siding 14 may naturally expand and contract over time without causing the siding 14 to buckle or deform, which results from to permanent fasteners.

FIGS. 5 shows a horizontal cross sectional view of the snap lock receiver rail 12 with the receiver rail retainer tab 18 in elevation. As shown, a fastener 22 attaches the receiver rail 12 to the foundation structure 52.

FIG. 6 illustrates the snap lock receiver rail 12 configured to receive varying thicknesses of rigid insulation 40. In such example, the receiver rail 12 includes an insulation receiver groove 42 to receive insulation 40, wherein the receiver rail 12 forms a continuous airtight joint between sections of insulation 40 and secures the insulation 40 in place. The insulation receiver groove 42 is between the receiver rail front surface 68 and the receiver rail back surface 13. The insulation receiver groove 42 may be configured to receive any size thickness of insulation 40, such as ¼ inch, ½ inch, 1 inch, or more.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein. 

We claim:
 1. A siding snap lock system comprising: a receiver rail including a receiver rail front surface, a planar receiver rail back surface, and a plurality of receiver rail retainer tabs extending from the receiver rail front surface, wherein the receiver rail retainer tabs include a hook shape defining a receiver rail retainer space; a receiver track including a planar receiver track back surface, a receiver track front surface, and a receiver track retainer tab extending from the receiver track front surface, wherein the receiver track retainer tab includes a hook shape defining a receiver track retainer space, wherein the receiver rail is attached to the receiver track, wherein the receiver rail extends perpendicular from the receiver track; and a first siding including a first siding top bulb, a first siding middle bulb, and a first siding bottom bulb, wherein the first siding top bulb is connected to the first siding middle bulb by a siding linear body, wherein the first siding middle bulb is connected to the first siding bottom bulb by the siding linear body, wherein the first siding top bulb extends from the siding linear body, wherein the first siding top bulb includes a hook shape defining a first siding retainer space, wherein the first siding bottom bulb removeably engages with the receiver track retainer tab, wherein the first siding bottom bulb is positioned within the receiver track retainer space, wherein the first siding top bulb and the first siding middle bulb removeably engage with the receiver rail retainer tabs respectively, wherein the first siding top bulb and the first siding middle bulb are positioned within the receiver rail retainer spaces respectively.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second siding including a second siding top bulb, a second siding middle bulb, and a second siding bottom bulb, wherein the second siding bottom bulb removeably engages with the first siding retainer tab of the first siding top bulb, wherein the second siding middle bulb and the second siding top bulb removeably engage with the receiver rail retainer tabs respectively.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver track includes a receiver track first end and a receiver track second end, wherein the snap receiver rail includes a receiver rail first end and a receiver rail second end, wherein the receiver rail second end includes a receiver rail alignment tab, wherein the receiver track first end engages with the receiver rail alignment tab, wherein the receiver track second end includes a receiver track alignment tab, wherein the receiver track alignment tab extends perpendicular to the receiver track back surface.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver rail includes a plurality of fastener openings to receive a fastener, wherein the fastener openings extend from the receiver rail front surface through the receiver rail back surface.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver rail includes a plurality of support rails connecting a top surface of the receiver rail retainer tab to the receiver rail front surface.
 6. The system of claim 1 the receiver rail includes an insulation receiver groove, wherein the insulation receiver groove is between the receiver rail front surface and the receiver rail back surface.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver rail and the receiver track are attached to a foundation structure by fasteners.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of receiver rails are attached to the receiver track, wherein the receiver track is positioned along a lower horizontal edge of a foundation structure, wherein the plurality of receiver rails extend vertically from the receiver track. 